Tigers' Dave Dombrowski: Trade gives team opportunity to 'take off and do better'

AP PhotoSeattle Mariners starting pitcher Doug Fister throws against the Texas Rangers in the first inning in Seattle.

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers have a better chance to win the division title now than they did a day or two ago.

They paid a high price to be able to say that, but that is expected at this time of year.

The Tigers announced today that they have obtained starting pitcher Doug Fister and relief pitcher David Pauley from the Seattle Mariners. In return, the Tigers sent pitcher Charlie Furbush, outfielder Casper Wells, prospect Francisco Martinez and a player to be named later to the Mariners.

“We have a chance to win,” general manager Dave Dombrowski said. “We have a very good ballclub, and I'm looking for us to take off and do better. I think this gives us the opportunity to do that.

“It's hard to do that when every fifth day you're just not sure. It's hard to get a winning streak. It's hard to get going. I think this gives us an opportunity.”

The Tigers enter their game tonight with a 4-16 record in games started by their No. 5 starter. Phil Coke began the season in that spot and at times pitched better than his record indicated before being replaced. Andy Oliver, Charlie Furbush and Duane Below each started two games since then.

Jacob Turner will make his major-league debut for the Tigers tonight as the fifth starter. Dombrowski said Turner would be sent to Triple-A Toledo following the start.

The Tigers are 18 games over .500 when one of the top four pitchers in their rotation starts.

Fister, a 6-foot-8 right-hander, should improve the rotation immediately. He has a 3.33 ERA – a better ERA than any Tigers starter besides Justin Verlander – and has pitched much better than his 3-12 record indicates.

Fister is in the top 20 in the majors in innings pitched and has allowed three or fewer earned runs in 14 of his 21 starts. He is 0-7 in his past 10 starts despite having an ERA of 3.42 during that span.

David Pauley, another right-hander, is 5-4 with a 2.15 ERA in 39 games for the Mariners this season.

“We think (Fister) gives us that solid guy to go out there and gives us a six-, seven-inning type guy who gives us a chance to win every time he takes the ball,” Dombrowski said. “David Pauley's having a very good year and we think he's somebody who can stabilize our bullpen.”

Fister and Pauley are expected to join the Tigers in time for their game Tuesday against Texas.

One major benefit to the deal for the Tigers is that they did not make a trade for a pair of late-season rentals. Neither Fister nor Pauley are eligible for free agency until after the 2015 season.

Furbush and Wells, who both split time between the Tigers and Mud Hens this season, will join the Mariners. Martinez is a highly touted prospect at third base, but Dombrowski said the fact that the Tigers have another highly rated third baseman in Nick Castellanos, who is playing for Single-A West Michigan, made it easier to include Martinez in the deal.

The player to be named later will be sent to the Mariners on or before Aug. 20. There is a rule that a player cannot be traded for one full year after he signs his first professional contract, so it is possible the player to be named is someone who was drafted in 2010 and signed late in the summer last season.

Clearly, the price was high for the Tigers. But teams that are trying to win their division are often willing to pay a high price.

“I think we have a good ballclub,” Dombrowski said. “I think this club here has a chance to win, legitimately has a chance to win. I think this helps us have a chance to win. It only enhances our ability to do that. …

“One of the reasons we've had a hard time doing that is, the fifth starter spot, we really haven't had a productive arm out there on a consistent basis to be able to get us wins. This addresses that and it also helps the bullpen.”

Dombrowski said he will keep his eyes open until the trade deadline, which is 4 p.m. Sunday. But it doesn't sound like there are any more imminent moves for the Tigers.

“I don't know if we'll do anything,” Dombrowski said. “I'm not sure. We'll continue to talk to people and see if there are ways we can make our club better. You never can tell what will come out of the blue at this point. …